8 year old - high-back or backless booster?
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Anonymous
What part of this is confusing to you? The need for a booster is based on SIZE, not AGE. |
Anonymous
Seriously. The stupidity boggles the mind. Most recs say at least 4"9 and 80 lbs, usually between 8-12 years old. My 4"3 50lb 8 year old will probably be closer to 12 when she stops needing a booster. I don't care if her friends don't use one. I'm not endangering her safety because of peer pressure FFS. |
Anonymous
+10000 My 11 year old who is tall for her age just passed the 5 point test last summer right before 5th grade. My 3rd grader is in a backless booster 90% of the time still. 
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Anonymous
| 8 is not that old, folks. My average sized 7 year-old is both bigger than OP's child and still in a 5-point harness, and she's not the only one in her peer group that is still harnessed. |
Anonymous
| Try a backless. My 8 yo is much taller than yours and definitely over 80lbs. He doesn't use anything in my smaller car but prefers a backless in DH's minivan so he can see out the window better. He could go without but the belt is a slightly better fit in the van with the booster. |
Anonymous
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My 54", 60+ lb 8.5 year old uses a backless booster most of the time in regular life.
She does still ride in a HBB for our long road trip car rides because she prefers having the headrests for those. |
Anonymous
| My DS2 is about your DD's size and he's in a high back booster in my car and in a backless booster in my DH's car. Both cars have headrests. I think the belt sits slightly better in the high back booster but I'm comfortable with DS being in either seat. |
Anonymous
| My 10 yr old and 8 yr old boys are both in HBB in our minivan. As long as it fits them they are stuck with it. Safety before cool factor. |
Anonymous
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In Maryland, the law requires kids under 4'9" to " ride in an appropriate child restraint". So, yes, my 8 yr old DS, who is 4'8" and 94 lbs is in a backless booster.
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Anonymous
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My 8yo is still in a high back booster in my car and a backless booster in DH's much smaller car and she doesn't seem to care either way. She is about the same size as your DD, OP.
How does the seatbelt fit? That would be my deciding factor. |
Anonymous
The next Ken Saltzman, right here. 
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Anonymous
NP here. I have a small 8 year old who is also around 48 pounds. She is still in a high back booster. It's about size, not age. Not all kids are the same size. Doesn't matter what grade he/she is in. FTR, it's really not been an issue at all. |
Anonymous
No kidding! But, it's more important to be COOL! |
Anonymous
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A seat belt not only prevents a child from being ejected - as they get bigger, it helps distribute the impact of crash forces to stronger parts of the body. If the top half isn't positioned correctly, you risk neck and spinal cord injuries. <y child is 9 and still in a booster, but I have neglected really checking how the straps are positioned on her body. This thread has been eye opening that just because I think I am doing the right thing, I still may be putting her at risk.
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Anonymous
I agree! She has a very tiny child. My 6yr old is 52" and 54#s. He's in a booster and one with a back for that matter. He sleeps in the car and it keeps him upright. My 10yr old sleeps in the car too and I wish I could put him in a booster with a back because when he sleeps, he ends up in a very dangerous position with the shoulder belt around his waist. |